American Airlines Baggage Fees

If you’re planning to travel with American Airlines, you might be wondering how much you will have to pay for your baggage.

Depending on your destination, the size and weight of your luggage, and the number of bags you bring, you may face different fees and charges.

In this blog post, we will explain how much you should expect to pay in baggage fees for your specific itinerary. Whether you’re buying extra baggage or traveling with oversized and/or overweight bags, we’ve got you covered.

If you want to learn about American Airlines’ overall baggage policy, you can read our blog post here.

Travel Regions

To understand how American Airlines applies baggage fees to its international flights, you need to become familiar with the airline’s travel regions.

Each country that American Airlines flies to belongs to a region. The baggage fees that you’ll be charged is determined by which regions you’re flying from and to. Also, each region has a limit on the total number of checked bags that you can travel with. This limit applies whether you travel to, from, or within the region.

The regions are as follows:

Baggage Embargoes

Some itineraries have seasonal or year-round baggage embargoes that may limit the number, size, and weight of your checked bags.

The following regions could be impacted by a baggage embargo:

• Mexico
• Caribbean
• Central America
• South America

You’ll be advised during booking if your flight will be affected by a baggage embargo. This information will also be included in your American Airlines reservation confirmation email.

Important: Baggage embargoes can sometimes be imposed by airlines on short notice. Make sure that you periodically check your email inbox for any updates from American Airlines prior to your flight.

For flights to or from Mexico, the airline has placed a new size restriction for checked boxes. They can be no larger than 80 linear inches (203 centimeters.

Baggage Fees by Region

In this section we detail how much American Airlines will charge you for excess baggage, beyond what may have been included with your fare.

Standard Checked Bags

When you buy additional baggage, each bag has the following limits:

• Size limit: 62 linear inches (157 centimeters)
• Weight limit: 50 pounds (23 kilograms)

These limits for extra baggage apply irrespective of your cabin class.

Domestic Baggage Fees Within and Between U.S. and Canada

International Baggage Fees for Flights by Region

In this section, you can find out the baggage fees that American Airlines will charge, based on your itinerary.

You can jump to the section that is where you are flying from, then refer to the baggage fees table for your destination.

Oversized Baggage Fees

The rules for oversized baggage fees on international American Airlines flights follow the same limits as domestic travel.

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches (157 centimeters) but no greater than 126 linear inches (320 centimeters), it is considered oversized.

American Airlines will charge you a fee for any oversized bags when you check in at the airport. This charge is in addition to any other fees that your bag may be subject to. For example, if your checked bag is both oversized and overweight, both fees will apply.

The airline won’t accept checked bags larger than 126 linear inches.

The overweight fee that you’ll be charged depends on your itinerary, ranging from $100 to $200. The cabin class that you’re traveling in has no effect on how much you’ll be charged.

Your cabin class has no influence on how much you’ll have to pay for overweight bags.

Oversized Baggage Fees Between and Within U.S. / Canada

International Oversized Baggage Fees by Region

Oversized Baggage Fees from U.S. / Canada

Oversized Baggage Fees from Mexico

Oversized Baggage Fees from Caribbean

Oversized Baggage Fees from Panama

Oversized Baggage Fees from Central America (except Panama)

Oversized Baggage Fees from South America

Oversized Baggage Fees from Transatlantic Region

These oversized baggage fees apply to travel from / to:

• Europe
• Israel
• Qatar

Oversized Baggage Fees from / to Transpacific Region

These overweight baggage fees apply to travel from / to:

• Australia
• China
• Hong Kong
• India
• Japan
• New Zealand
• South Korea

• A = Australian dollar
• ¥ = Japanese yen
• NZ = New Zealand dollar

Overweight Baggage Fees

The rules for overweight baggage fees on international American Airlines flights follow the same limits as domestic travel.

If your checked bag is heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but weighs no more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it is considered overweight.

The airline has two weight ranges for overweight baggage, with the heavier range being significantly more expensive:

• 51 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kilograms)
• 71 pounds to 100 pounds (32 to 45 kilograms)

Not all destinations permit the heavier weight range (71 to 100 pounds). The following countries prohibit luggage within this weight range:

• Europe
• Israel
• Qatar
• Australia
• New Zealand

American Airlines will charge you a fee for any overweight bags when you check in at the airport. This charge is in addition to any other fees that your bag may be subject to. For example, if your checked bag is both overweight and oversized, both fees will apply.

The airline won’t accept checked bags heavier than 100 pounds.

The overweight fee that you’ll be charged depends on your itinerary, ranging from $100 to $450. The cabin class that you’re traveling in has no effect on how much you’ll be charged.

Your cabin class has no influence on how much you’ll have to pay for overweight bags.

Overweight Baggage Fees Between and Within U.S. / Canada

International Overweight Baggage Fees by Region

 Overweight Baggage Fees from U.S. / Canada

Overweight Baggage Fees from Mexico

Overweight Baggage Fees to / from Cuba

Overweight Baggage Fees from Caribbean (except Cuba)

Overweight Baggage Fees from Central America

Overweight Baggage Fees from South America

Overweight Baggage Fees from Transatlantic Region

These overweight baggage fees apply to travel from / to:

• Europe
• Israel
• Qatar

Overweight Baggage Fees to / from Transpacific Region

• A = Australian dollar
• ¥ = Japanese yen
• NZ = New Zealand dollar

Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed our deep dive into American Airlines’ baggage fees.

As you can see, the airline’s baggage fee structure is very granular. Although it applies broad fees by region, it overcomplicates matters by having many conditions and exceptions that you need to consider.

Remember to always check American Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage fees.

Sources

• American Airlines